Compliance Notes - Vol. 2, Issue 15
RECENT LOBBYING, ETHICS & CAMPAIGN FINANCE UPDATES
We read the news, cut through the noise and provide you the notes.
Welcome to Compliance Notes from Nossaman’s Government Relations & Regulation Group – a periodic digest of the headlines, statutory and regulatory changes and court cases involving campaign finance, lobbying compliance, election law and government ethics issues at the federal, state and local level.
Our attorneys, policy advisors and compliance consultants are available to discuss any questions or how specific issues may impact your business.
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Campaign Finance & Lobbying Compliance
A complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission alleges that Senator Ted Cruz’s use of campaign funds to promote the sale of his book resulted in an impermissible personal use of those funds. (Kevin Breuninger, CNBC)
Illinois: The Chicago Board of Ethics agreed to accept a reduced civil penalty from Alderwoman Carrie Austin to resolve her campaign’s receipt of a campaign contribution from a city contractor in violation of local pay-to-play rules. (Heather Cherone, WTTW)
Massachusetts: The Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) reportedly referred allegations of campaign finance violations by State Senator Ryan Fattman and his wife to the state Attorney General for potential criminal prosecution. (Christopher Gavin, Boston.com)
North Dakota: The state Senate declined to adopt a bill that would have required state “multicandidate committees,” like leadership PACs, to report how much money they spent promoting or opposing state candidates, which currently is undisclosed. (Jeremy Turley, Inforum) Also in North Dakota, a group is proposing to change the process of amending the state's constitution via ballot measure from a simple majority to 60%. The change itself would be made by a ballot measure. (Paul Jurgens, KFGO)
Voting
Kentucky: Governor Andy Bashear signed a bill that had bipartisan support to expand voting access, including adding more days to Kentucky’s early-voting period. (Alec Snyder, CNN)